Speaking in tongues?

Question

If you can speak in tongues, how do you know it is a language and not just yaddayaddayadda?

Any non-Christians who can speak in tongues?

Answer 1

The Bible says you should not speak in tounges unless someone can interpret it. If noone can interpret, its not coming from God.

Answer 2

If you look at the Scriptures that describe the day of Pentecost, you'll read where the people outside the Upper Room were "astonished to hear every man (in the Upper Room) speaking in his (the languages of the people in the street) own tongues". They wondered how this was possible since the people in the Upper Room were Galileans and were not taught the languages of the people in the street as we would learn French, Spanish, et al. in school. Tongues are "learned" languages, such as the ones I mentioned above, not "yadayadayada" as you so eloquently described it. The miracle of tongues is when you speak them in a tongue UNLEARNED by you in a classroom somewhere! It would be equivalent to a Irish person being indwelt by the Holy Ghost and being given the utterance, begin speaking in Chinese! An "interpreter" as the Scripture says should be present to verify the tongue and the SPIRIT, for since tongues can be learned in a classroom, it must be proved that the person speaking had no "acquired knowledge" the tongue they were speaking under the influence of the Holy Ghost. As for non-Christians speaking them, I can't say, but wouldn't rule out the possibility as long as there's a Spirit-led interpreter present.

Answer 3

The Genuine Gift of Tongues
Let's begin with a definition. The word "tongue" in the Bible simply means "a language."

God gives all the gifts of the Spirit to fill a practical need. What was the need for tongues?

Jesus told His followers, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." Matthew 28:19. This command posed a problem. How could the apostles go out preaching to all the world when they spoke only one or two languages? After all, Jesus' disciples were very bright, even though most of them were not formally educated. In order to fulfill the great commission, He promised to give them a unique gift from the Holy Spirit. It was a miraculous, supernatural ability to speak foreign languages they had not formerly studied or known for the purpose of spreading the Gospel.

"And these signs shall follow them that believe; ... they shall speak with new tongues." Mark 16:17.

The fact that Jesus said these new tongues, or languages, would be a "sign" indicates that the ability to speak them would not come as the result of normal linguistic study. Rather, it would be an instantaneous gift to fluently preach in a previously unfamiliar language.

There are only three actual examples of speaking in tongues recorded in the Bible (Acts chapters 2, 10, and 19). If we look at these three cases, we should find a clearer picture of this controversial gift.

"When the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven [divided] tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." Acts 2:1-4.

see link for cont'd.

Answer 4

Speaking in tongues is not evidence of someone having the Holy Ghost as many Pentacostals think, I myself am an Apostolic Pentacost, Speaking in tongues is one of the 9 spiritual gifts, I have seen demonic people speak in tongues, & I have even seen some that look so close to the true thing that it will almost try to deceive you, But I have always said, in my 36 yrs plus of serving God, The best evidence of having the Holy Ghost is to give them The WORD TEST, How can The spirit of God deny his own words. I thank God that he has placed that gift in my life, & I know it is true, Because I have not turned away from any Truth, I am still learning & God will give his Eagles fresh manna in due season, & as each revelation is open up to me, I know that is the truth. And I can feast upon that fresh manna.

Answer 5

I don't believe in speaking in tongues, why is it that no one understands what these people are saying. I think on the day of Pentecost when the apostles spoke in tongues the entire congregation was able to understand what was being said in their own languages because of the Holy Spirit. I have been to Pentecost Services and people are beside mumbling, when asked what your saying they say they are speaking in toques. Give me a break. Its a bunch of Mambo jumbo. Secondly after that day of Pentecost their was no need for speaking in Tongues.

Answer 6

Okay, this is a peculiar questions but... I used to be a Christian but it has nothing to do with being a Christian... as long as a person believes faithfully in Jesus... they can be givent he gift of tongues. Of course, if this is not the case, then the 'tongues' that are unearthly are normally demonic. A person doesn't have to be possesed, they just have to have been exposed to a spiritual encounter with a foul spirit.

Answer 7

Speaking in tongues is a spiritual gift...pretty sure non-Christians can't speak in tongues. That's contradictory.

Answer 8

Yes, I speak in english.

You tell me if this is an ancient language. Da da da dedededede ad da da dede addadada dededadeda. I have a friend who does just that and calls it speaking in tongues.

It is fake. The fanatics that practice this are not a good example of Christianity. They preach hate and bigotry. They teach that bigotry to their children.

Answer 9

Covens of witches speak in tongues.

Answer 10

Well it would depend on who you was trying to witness to and what language they spoke as to what language God would give you the gift of. That jibber jabbering like a squirel is not the true gift of tongues.

Answer 11

I think I can help answer you, but I would prefer you email me. If I see an answer I agree with, I'll thumbs up it, but I would rather not discuss this gift on here ...the bible says not to cast your pearls to swine, meaning that if something is important and you KNOW it will be recieved poorly, it is better to wait, than to just "give it out" to be torn apart. Feel free to email me.